Sportsgirl Stole A Threadless Design
As a follow-up to Johnsee’s article “Sportsgirl Stealing Designs or about to sell Threadless?“, I decided to go and get photos of one of the stores, tell my side of the story, and give my thoughts on what happened.
The Situation
My girlfriend and I were shopping at a particular shopping centre in Brisbane last week. She and I have become avid Threadless browsers and buyers over the past year, so we’ve become pretty familiar with all the designs that have been printed. As we went past a Sportsgirl store (a popular young women’s clothing franchise here in Australia) she noticed in the display window a “kissing birds” sticker that looked strangely familar:
The last picture is from a Threadless shirt called For The Birds, and, like all Threadless prints, was designed by a member of the Threadless.com community. It was created by Travis Matthew Stearns and submitted on 25 July 2005, so there’s definitely no confusion as to which one came first.
There was a large one on both display windows, as well as smaller versions of the design inside the store and on the promotional posters (like on the Sportgirl website).
The designs seem to be a promo for their Spring season fashion. None of them are being used on any clothes, as far as I could see (yes, I braved a girls-only clothes store for the purpose of web-journalism). Not that it justifies it. It was still a design that they quite obviously did not come up with themselves.
I only managed to take three photos before the girl working the register came out and told me, “I know it looks really pretty, but I can’t allow you to take photos of it. It’s actually illegal.” So many comebacks ran through my head at the time, but I just nodded and smiled sweetly. No need to give shit to some poor girl that had no say in the decision making process of the store’s advertising.
“I’ll let you keep the ones you just took, but I can’t allow you to take anymore,” she told me. What was she going to do otherwise? Ask me to delete them? Pfft. Illegal my ass. My brother jokingly said that they probably knew that I was onto them about the stolen design, and wanted to keep it quiet.
My Thoughts On It
I seriously doubt that Sportsgirl are going to become Threadless resellers. While it is possible to become a Threadless vendor, Sportsgirl is a national chain, not just one store. Besides, if they were going to be selling Threadless shirts, I’m sure Threadless or Sportsgirl would have made some kind of announcement about it.
According to the legal mumbo-jumbo on Threadless, if Travis Stern did (and I use this sentence very hypothetically) decide to sell his design to an Australian-only female apparel chain for a promotion that would last, at the most, one season, he would had to have told Threadless first, and they would have removed the shirt from their website. No sir, I do believe that design was stolen, if not by Sportsgirl then by the company that manages their marketing.
In regards to the other designs in the shop window, though they do have a certain style to them, most are so universal that it would be hard to say if they were copied. As for the I Heart NY logo, that doesn’t even make sense. It’s an Australian franchise, in an Australian city, selling to Australians. Why they feel they have to resort to American logos to promote themselves is beyond me.
With Threadless becoming quite popular, yet still remaining largely internet-based, it’s hard for them to keep track of copyright infringements themselves. But with such a strong and worldwide community base, it makes it very difficult for hack-designers to get away with plaguarism like this. Power to the Internets!
Alex said,
August 23, 2006 at 3:15 am
You would think a chain clothing store could come up with their own designs instead of stealing from a smaller internet company. The marketplace is most definitely a cutthroat world of its own.
Anonymous said,
August 23, 2006 at 12:55 pm
WOW – SUCH IMPORTANT NEWS…who cares. Designs get stolen all the time – if they dont want it to happen take out a copyright otherwise stop complaining.
Doc said,
August 23, 2006 at 1:39 pm
@ 2. Anonymous
First of all, I find it funny that when ever an insulting comment is made, the person always remains “anonymous”. Always willing to offend, but too cowardly to put a name to it.
“who cares.”
Threadless Customer Service enquiries seemed to care; they sent me an email back along with a US$5 voucher to their store for letting them know.
“Designs get stolen all the time”
Of course they do, but if you seriously think that justifies it, you are as deluded as the person that thought they could get away with this. The difference here is that this is a major clothing chain, and they should have much more integrity than this. Plus I really love Threadless.
“if they dont want it to happen take out a copyright…”
Don’t want what to happen? Have their designs copied? I’m not sure how taking out a copyright is going to change things, since all their designs are already under copyright.
“…otherwise stop complaining.”
I’m not complaining, I’m merely looking out for the interests of a company that I feel very much a part of because they are built on the strength of their community.
Maddy said,
August 23, 2006 at 1:54 pm
Hey Anon!
Unless you can get off your ARSE and pull something awesome together like Johnsee, Doc and Julz have here, have a cup of shut the f*** up and piss off.
Anonymous – but with a positive comment said,
August 23, 2006 at 2:44 pm
To put a serious spin on this, not just insults and crap:
As a law student I point this out to “anonymous” – in Australia there is no registration of copyright. i.e. you can’t “take out a copyright”…it just occurs. So for example, if I write a book, I don’t have to take it to the Office of Intellectual Property, it automatically gains copyright.
As for Designs, which is different from Copyright, if Threadless registered it (and yes Designs you can register), then they can actually sue Sportsgirl. So if their Design is stolen all the time, they can register it and get obtain protection that way.
anon 2 said,
August 23, 2006 at 5:47 pm
I (heart) N Y DOES have a copyright. tsk tsk sportsgirl
Chaff said,
August 25, 2006 at 12:20 am
With a prominant design like “I N Y” it is quite likely that they have considered the implications and taken steps to keep it all above board. Why the hell an Australian clothing company would want it on their store is somewhat harder to work out….
Maybe they are advertising their “Summer of Copyright Theft” line?
Anonymous – but with a positive comment said,
August 25, 2006 at 9:08 am
hey, how long does it take for threadless to ship a shirt to brissie (as in from the day you order the item to the day it arrives, not just the literal “shipping time” which doesnt include packing time, etc)? 3-4weeks?
johnsee said,
August 25, 2006 at 9:29 am
I ordered some at the start of the most recent sale. I got them yesterday. About 9 days I think. They have taken up to 3 weeks for me in the past though.
Doc said,
August 25, 2006 at 1:06 pm
I ordered at the end of the sale (which was 8 days ago now). It still hasn’t been shipped, but at the end of sales they always have a huge backlog of orders to get through (mainly because they’re just so cheap! $18.20AU each for four shirts including shipping, and it gets cheaper with every extra shirt you order. And the quality of the designs! Don’t get me started).
When they haven’t just had a sale on, I’ve found it normally takes around 2-3 weeks from making the order to arriving at your door.
Btw, if you ARE going to buy anything, use my very special Threadless Street Team link and use the coupon code “rubberdanpants” to get $3US off your order!
Be warned though, buying Threadless shirts can become addictive. ;)
Prussia said,
August 25, 2006 at 7:13 pm
This link works better
<>
Jess said,
September 12, 2006 at 3:50 am
Most stores I’ve been in refuse to let you take photos inside. It seems to be pretty common practice.
Doc said,
September 12, 2006 at 8:56 pm
Jess –
I wasn’t inside the store, I was standing taking pictures from outside the store, in the mall. Secondly, “refuse to let you” is a bit different to “illegal”.
I just thought it was funny that she was telling me it was illegal, when the store she works for had illegally stolen the design I was taking a photo of.
Vasileios said,
February 12, 2008 at 8:13 am
Cool!
Anastassios said,
February 14, 2008 at 3:50 am
Nice…
Sasko said,
May 26, 2008 at 4:44 pm
A couple years ago I bought a Miso and Ghostpatrol(two local wicked artists) stencil from the Melbourne stencil festival. A couple months after that a new design came up on Threadless that was identical to picture I bought and it wasn’t submitted by either one of the artists. It turned out some chick took a photo of the stencil and slightly photoshoped it and posted it as her own design. Suffice to say it didn’t take long for someone to cotton on and alert the artists and Threadless. Threadless sorted the matter out quick-smart and the true artists were compensated. Sadly enough this sort of shit happens all the time. Too many graphic designers. Not enough designs too go around it seems. Good spot mate, it’s people like you that keep the shifty ones looking over their shoulder
Teltpeatiat said,
December 7, 2008 at 8:39 am
Hey
AnnaSurikmann said,
December 8, 2008 at 8:23 am
Hello. And Bye.
antandvib said,
December 9, 2008 at 10:30 am
( deleted)
I am Sorry… I decided to challenge… Deleted this topic, please!
Thank You
QuarAppease said,
December 11, 2008 at 9:33 am
Hello. And Bye.
neendyenusa said,
December 15, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Hello. And Bye.
crundadaraf said,
December 17, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Money Rule. Your personal financial adviser
cinuebupKeere said,
December 18, 2008 at 5:46 am
Hello
As a fresh http://www.sandstorming.com user i just want to say hi to everyone else who uses this forum :>
davidlqw said,
December 18, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Hello. And Bye.
idorexcic said,
December 20, 2008 at 8:50 am
Hello. And Bye.
bugPoergo said,
December 23, 2008 at 10:05 am
Could you suggest a virtual numbers operator with the bigest country coverage and low fee call forwarding to cell phone which gives 800 number? I need the numbers in the USA, Venezuela, Greece, Jordan, Cyprus, Latvia, New Zealand, Slovakia, Finland, Czech Republic, Salvador.
??????
ensuctusy said,
December 23, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Most peoples says that you need, other that you dont.
What I have to do?
kavafffa said,
December 24, 2008 at 9:35 am
—
—
hottelecom said,
December 24, 2008 at 1:46 pm
dfhgfdhdhf
sadamsmit said,
December 27, 2008 at 1:53 am
Sosdanierbasetolkoregistration
MymntyncDaync said,
December 28, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Just thought I would send out a friendly hello to everyone here at http://www.sandstorming.com
AbnornGog said,
December 30, 2008 at 6:14 pm
gg
Wreltygedgide said,
December 31, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Hello. And Bye.
Aabbdono said,
January 9, 2009 at 7:47 am
123
Zerromino said,
January 9, 2009 at 10:44 am
Hello
magnusmagnus said,
January 15, 2009 at 4:12 am
This site is soo good!
This site is soo good!
FoxyLadyTexas said,
January 17, 2009 at 1:15 pm
gold medal
second
bigfungus said,
January 20, 2009 at 3:37 am
foot fungus
effisasty said,
January 30, 2009 at 5:56 am
test
Armandesque said,
January 30, 2009 at 12:00 pm
website
tessmubre said,
January 31, 2009 at 1:58 am
xsdfghyjukilo
CrowNuriCom said,
February 2, 2009 at 9:37 am
We are already a billion!
The number of the Internet users overcomed psychologicly important limit – a billion! This information can be found in the report of U.N.O., named “About informational economy”. Amasing grow of the Internet continues, its number of users grew to 20%. First place is occupied by USA (200 million users), China (111 million users), Japan (85 million users).
annyfriemannd said,
February 4, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Q. I married Miss Right. – A. I just didn’t know her first name was “Always.”
JoRDANA said,
February 4, 2009 at 10:15 pm
can you help me? I don’t know whay should i do
i dont noob!
Villiamkiijack said,
February 7, 2009 at 3:54 pm
According to the Centers for Disease Control over 16 million people have diabetes in the United States.
Many of these individuals lead very normal lives. Some even accomplish great feats. Below is a short list
of famous people who didn’t let diabetes stop them from living life to the fullest. Recognize that you may
have difficulty living with diabetes every day, but in the end you choose how you respond and behave in
dealing with your diabetes. Having diabetes is not a disaster but rather a challenge for you to live a healthier
life. You can do it!!
robertsimon said,
February 7, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Please some links for a lot of interesting about celebrities
ionibiowSmawips said,
February 9, 2009 at 4:33 am
Q. What’s the difference between men and government bonds? – A. Bonds mature.
Nomomeesklymn said,
February 11, 2009 at 5:29 pm
glamurnenko.com
AccunseUnacex said,
February 14, 2009 at 12:11 am
how long does it take to get a green card
musiclover said,
February 16, 2009 at 1:50 am
Hello. And Bye.
kotmatrosss said,
March 7, 2009 at 12:26 pm
1
Smartmousete said,
March 8, 2009 at 4:18 pm
1
AnduFormer said,
March 9, 2009 at 4:58 am
some message
Spullycourl said,
April 8, 2009 at 2:28 am
Have invited. To the child 6 years are executed. It has practically all. What to present?
It would be desirable to hear your opinion. To that will 6 summer kid be glad?
FeelRobert said,
April 13, 2009 at 4:59 am
hi
Margaritamix said,
April 17, 2009 at 2:02 pm
1
Rylikaptor said,
April 23, 2009 at 5:22 pm
ммм
AMORMLOTAWASY said,
April 24, 2009 at 6:53 am
I’m the only one in this world. Can please someone join me in this life? Or maybe death…
MaD_Ivan said,
May 16, 2009 at 10:42 am
13b b31 13b 31b 13b b13
bbbbb 131313 131313 bbbbb
vievrik said,
May 17, 2009 at 7:32 pm
3333333333333333333333333
waideOranna said,
May 19, 2009 at 4:35 am
Sorry moderator but it’s very importatnt as i think…
How do you protects from swine flue?
gerigieeeso said,
May 20, 2009 at 11:40 pm
333333333333333333333333333333
deartarko said,
May 22, 2009 at 2:47 pm
333333333333333333333333333
factorygirlone said,
May 29, 2009 at 3:09 am
I’ll show you why!
factorygirlone said,
June 11, 2009 at 10:24 pm
This is fine
!!MarkiG!! said,
June 19, 2009 at 3:03 am
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
SpampCawssymnk6 said,
July 7, 2009 at 8:59 am
Now I like this site.
truelady said,
July 7, 2009 at 7:14 pm
123
MumakilDwept said,
July 31, 2009 at 3:31 pm
—
Thevhflady said,
August 1, 2009 at 6:46 pm
yo
red_chickk said,
August 10, 2009 at 11:13 am
Hello! Nice forum here) Nice to meet you all
Dresque75 said,
August 17, 2009 at 9:25 pm
ytfiytf
kjh
leadmlm said,
September 8, 2009 at 9:33 am
gfghdf dgfvf egerg rstrs
vdf gs
g
serg s
ger rthtyhsf srgcvh strystr
d
dfgh
trh
tr
tr
y stryustru str trs
KapplaDwept said,
September 16, 2009 at 9:43 pm
—
Anokypync said,
October 3, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Only looking around righ now.
Take care.
easescasopate said,
November 9, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Hi guys.
My PC worked not correctly, many errors. Please, help me to fix errors on my computer.
My operation system is Windows XP.
With best regards,
easescasopate